Left, by Dominic Lipinski; right, by Max Mumby, both from Indigo/Getty Images.

As the Sussexes plan for their move to Windsor later this month, the royal household at Kensington Palace is preparing to split. Soon there will be two courts, one for the Sussexes and one for the Cambridges. On Wednesday, when the Cambridges and the Sussexes were both out on separate engagements, royal-watchers got a glimpse of what that coming reality could look like.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited rain-drenched Blackpool in England to check in on a regeneration project, while the Duke of Sussex was in London for WE Day, a festival that encourages youth activism. His wife, the Duchess of Sussex, made a surprise appearance to rapturous applause from the crowd.

Given the meticulous planning required by staff for each event on the royal calendar, it’s unusual for multiple royals to conduct visits or hold events on the same day. But now that the young royals are upping their engagements, being out en-masse is likely to become more commonplace.

The concurrent outings weren’t just a fluke of the schedule, though. They are fascinating reflections of an important transition taking place at the Palace, as the families forge roles reflecting their respective personalities and interests. If yesterday’s engagements are anything to go by, the new courts will be very different. Prince Harry, ever popular and direct, used his WE Day speech to rouse young people in a large public forum.

Prince William and Kate’s visit to Blackpool was more hands-on. They met with a community facing social issues regarding employment, health, and housing. At one point during the day, they toured a dilapidated building that had only recently been a family home.

Though both engagements had charitable purposes, the activities they undertook speak to a larger difference between the two families. “What we’re seeing is a change from a unit that used to be two brothers to what is now two married couples who have different causes,” says ITN’s royal correspondent Chris Ship. “Inevitably they’ll be doing different things. The Sussexes and the Cambridges will create their own identities. William has to position himself as a future monarch, [but] Harry’s role is very different.”

As Harry and Meghan’s anniversary approaches, all four of the young royals have defined charitable domains and taken on patronages. It’s too soon to tell what their futures in philanthropy will look like, but one thing is certain: the young royals are busier than ever.